Genachowski may be out from FCC chairman spot
updated 03:45 pm EST, Wed March 9, 2011
Genachowski to leave FCC for Government position
The White House is said to be looking at current FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to fill the seat of Gary Locke as Secretary of Commerce. The news comes from sources in the tech industry and prominent White House Democrats, according to The Hill. Locke may succeed Jon Huntsman Jr. as ambassador to China and thus vacate his position.
The executive is believed to be a great fit for the position, as he has two years of experience working with CEOs and the private sector. The sources also believe his skills would suit the position as the White House is interested in promoting the technology industry. Genachowski is also close to President Obama since law school, and campaigned for him in 2008.
Democrats have criticized Genachowski for working too closely with the private sector, as evidenced by willingness to exempt wireless from no-discrimination rules, while Republicans have questioned his approval of the net neutrality order in the first place. They have largely echoed the positions of carriers and have insisted that any Internet regulation, even ones that would encourage competition from newcomers, was an overreach.
Jessica Rosenworcel, the top telecom aide to Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller, could replace Genachowski as the FCC chairman, sources believed.
